Lampworked glass bead II class

Last weekend I taught an intermediate 2 day glass bead class, and it was great!  We had a really nice group, with no one way over their head.  First we made goldstone stringers, then a vine cane and stamen cane, and then finally we made a bead with flowers, goldstone, vines and tiny black stamens, and finished it off with pixie dust.  I took my ice tongs so they could use them- I love that shape, a gentle lentil.  (That rhymes!)  These are some of the beads the class made.  I really enjoy teaching when the students are excited about learning new techniques.

After a show

After a weekend show, I usually take Monday sort of easy.  That means unpacking the car, getting it re-organized in my studio, doing paperwork from the show, catching up on laundry, and usually taking a nap with my lap warmer.  After all that, I am ready and eager to get to work again!

Lizzie is getting older, and I can see her slowing down and napping more.  Just like me. 

Eye beads

Sometimes the best ideas come from customers!  At a recent show, a woman picked up my large (over 1 1/4") round, hollow eye bead and asked if I could make it in cone shape.  The round hollow eye bead is the one furthest to the left, and the rest of the beads are the result of her request.    Two of these are wired as a pendant, ready to add a chain.  I like them so much I will continue to make them.  This is one of my favorite color combinations, and I love to make the color gradation.

The design is an ancient one.  The more eyes (dots) there are, the more protection the bead gives the wearer, although the nature of the protection varied in different cultures.  One of the most interesting to me was the idea that a person did not want a god to look at them- that caused bad things to happen.  When wearing an eye bead, the eyes confused the god, who sent the bad karma to the bead which reflected it back and away from the wearer.  There are cultures today who continue the tradition.

Mini-vacation

This weekend I am taking off and visiting one of my sisters in upstate NY.  No work (although I may check my email and facebook!)  This will probably be the last few days I can just enjoy with no work related activities.  When I get back, I will be into teaching and shows until the end of the year.

My son is riding along with me, and I am wondering if I will subject him to an audio book.  It's got to be better than listening to his music!